26th Meeting of the Ramsar Standing Committee -- Agenda papers

Revised proposals for the COP8 Technical Session Agenda

Technical Session 1: Major challenges and emerging opportunities for wetlands, water and sustainability

i) A contribution to combating the global freshwater crisis: Guidelines for allocation and management of water for maintaining ecological functions (DOC. SC26/COP8-3)

ii) The Report of the World Commission on Dams and its relevance to Ramsar (DOC. SC26/COP8-16)

iii) Climate Change & Wetlands: Impacts & Mitigation (DOC. SC26/COP8-4)

iv) Principles and Guidelines on integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) (DOC. SC26/COP8-5)

v) Synergies with other conventions (DOC. SC26/COP8-6)

Technical Session 2: Baselines for sustainable [wise] use: wetland inventory and assessment:

i) Inventory as a tool for identifying wetland assets: a Ramsar Framework for Wetland Inventory (DOC. SC26/COP8-7)

ii) Wetland Ecosystem Assessment Framework (DOC. SC26/COP8-8)

iii) Wetland ecological character: assessment and reporting change, or likely change, under Article 3.2 of the Convention (DOC. SC26/COP8-9)

iv) Impact Assessment: CBD guidelines for incorporating biodiversity-related issues into EIA legislation and/or processes and in strategic environmental assessment, and their relevance to Ramsar (DOC. SC26/COP8-10)

Technical Session 3: Global biological diversity and sustenance of human life: the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance

i) Developing new approaches in using the Ramsar List as an instrument for sustainable development (DOC. SC26-25)

ii) Guidelines for designation as Wetlands of International Importance of: a) peatlands; b) mangroves; c) coral reefs and d) sea grass beds (DOC. SC26/COP8-11)

iii) Guidelines for the designation of mountain wetlands as Wetlands of International Importance (DOC. SC26/COP8-12)

iv) The Ramsar Sites Database: data holdings and "official" and "unofficial" data (DOC. SC26/COP8-13)

v) The Ramsar Data Gateway: its functions and potential

Technical Session 4: Managing wetlands for sustainable use and human well-being

i) Management planning for effective conservation and wise use: new Ramsar Guidelines on management planning for Ramsar sites and other wetlands (DOC. SC26/COP8-14)

ii) The San José Record of well-managed Ramsar sites (DOC. SC26/COP8-22)

iii) Principles and guidelines for wetland restoration (DOC. SC26/COP8-19)

iv) Guidelines for Global Action on Peatlands (DOC. SC26/COP8-15)

v) Guidelines for invasive species and wetlands (DOC. SC26/COP8-17)

Technical Session 5: Cultural aspects of wetlands as a tool for their conservation and sustainable [wise] use

i) Guiding principles on the cultural aspects of wetlands (DOC. SC26/COP8-18)